Finding invasive species, going for Olympic gold, anglers suspended and finding otters

When you walk through the woods and field lots, it’s easy to assume the plants we see are to be there, that they belong in Pennsylvania.

Unfortunately, there are invasive plants, animals and fish that do cause trouble for the environment and need to be managed. In an effort to document some of the species and to help more people understand invasive species, a fun scavenger hunt is being planned.

The Pennsylvania iMapInvasives program is holding the 2024 Invasive Species Scavenger Hunt statewide throughout the month of August.

According to the organization’s website, paimapinvasives.org, participants will be searching their local natural areas and documenting their findings iniMapInvasives.

The hunters will be looking for bamboo, swallow-wart, hammerhead worms, English Ivy and Black Jetbead. I know those aren’t familiar terms for many of us, but the organizers have everyone covered.

A webinar to explain how the event will work and how to find these plants and worms has been planned for 11 a.m. July 30. The webinar will be recorded for those who prefer to watch it at a different time.

It’s a fun activity that can involve family members of most age levels. At the same time, participants will be helping wildlife professionals through the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program know more about the range of problematic plants and animals.

I also have a few stories for you this week that are linked below:

• With the Olympics soon getting underway in Paris, I have five things you should know about a Lancaster archer who is expected to earn at least one medal. The story includes how you can watch her matches.
• The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission met this week and reported on illegal fishing activity involving 74 fish. The agency also has a new president and vice president.
• If you don’t have at least one trail camera, you should get one. I’m sharing some of my best trail camera photos from this summer in a feature that highlights some of the things you should know about this hobby.
• Otters have been expanding their range in Pennsylvania. Colleague Dana Massing of the Erie Times-News has an interesting feature about people seeing otters at Presque Isle State Park, the most visited park in the commonwealth.

Have a good weekend.

Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him with questions about the outdoors or story ideas at bwhipkey@gannett.com or 814-444-5928. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors .

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Finding invasive species, going for Olympic gold, anglers suspended and finding otters